Lucy Kennedy explains why she never returned to The Six O’Clock Show after welcoming daughter Jess

Lucy Kennedy has planned her work around her family life since the arrival of her third child, daughter Jess, in December 2016.

Karen Koster stepped away from The Six O’Clock Show this time last year and Lucy also left the Virgin Media entertainment show following the birth of Jess.

Lucy felt empathy for Karen and her honesty about putting family first.

Read more: Lucy Kennedy on parenting her teenage son, age gaps at home and having trust in her kids

Read more: Lucy Kennedy overcoming hard times, life at home and marriage, Ryan Tubridy and online bullying

She told RSVP Magazine: "Totally and utterly. Since Jess came along eight years ago I’ve definitely planned my work around my family life.

"I haven’t planned my family around my work. I think that’s really important. It completely resonated with me when Karen said that because the kids are only little for so long.

"These are jobs that we can always go back to when our children are older. The Six O’Clock Show is a big-time commitment and that’s why I stepped away.

"And I also like my own hours. The style of filming I have now means I can work around my children."

With a decision like leaving The Six O'Clock Show does come uncertainty, but Lucy never worried about what was ahead.

She explained: "I had Living With Lucy and that show has been a big rater from day one. To be honest, I knew I would be OK.

"I also had my children’s books coming up, so I had a plan. I was never worried.

"You can’t put a good thing down and if you love your job and you’re a good person, there will always be work for you. I’m a grafter, if everything fell down around me, I would take a job in a shop.

"I wouldn’t think twice about it. I’ve a good enough work ethic to trust myself and know that I’ll always be OK."

Lucy agrees that mothers are quicker to turn down work to focus on their family.

She said: "Yes, definitely. This isn’t in any way sexist and I’m not saying I’m a better parent than Richie, I’m not, we work 50/50 at home.

"But I do think that a woman would put her career on hold quicker than a man. I don’t know where that comes from, it must be a maternal instinct that men don’t have.

"I’ve the utmost respect for a multi-tasking mother. I find it so relatable because most of us are running around and dropping off children.

"We’re part-time nurses, taxi drivers and storytellers alongside our day jobs. Any parent that can do that juggle is a hero in my eyes."

Does she feel overwhelmed? "I adore everything I do and I adore my children, but there are days where I sit down completely frazzled and think that it’s all too much and I can’t think straight."

Different times of the year bring different challenges for Lucy and balancing her work and family lives.

Swipe across below to see the full gallery of images for yourself

Lucy Kennedy poses with rarely seen husband Richard Governey in gorgeous snaps

View gallery

She said: "September to Christmas is always completely bonkers for me because I’ve a TV show on Virgin Media, we’re big in the festive season on Classic Hits and there’s a book coming out.

"Whereas, in January, I could leave Classic Hits peacefully and walk the pier in Dún Laoghaire before the school collection.

"I don’t have a balance, but I like that. I work very hard and then I play very hard – that’s my whole work ethic. When I’m on it’s completely busy and when I’m off, I stay off."

Catch up on Real Life with Lucy on Virgin Media Play

Tune into The Colm & Lucy Breakfast Show from 6-10 am on Classic Hits

The Friendship Fairies Go To Paris and The Friendship Fairies - Jess Gets Her Wings, published by Gill Books, are on shelves now

Read the full interview and see the fabulous pics in this month's issue of RSVP Magazine - on shelves now